Hi

Yes it looks like flaming and it's almost covered by the pickguard eventually. The surface was quite uneven on top of it and my mind was set on a consistent looking grain at first. Then I thought if you can't hide it - highlight it. Might just give it more personal look and I'm beginning to like the idea.

If I would use water based stains - anything particular I should know about basswood in the process? Wiping the surface with a wet cloth or similar before stain will help to get more even coloring I've read.

Will the 240grit be enough or optimal when applying the stain or should I sand with finer paper? I mean if I was to aim for a gloss finish with tru oil and get an even color with the stain?

With colors like these the grain filling is out of the question or is there a way to do it somehow? Might take a lot of TO otherwise or what do the experts think?

So many questions and so little time for the build for now. Two under three year old kids - summer holiday ended but in two weeks I will have almost two months of "father's turn" (leave from work with pay to take care of the kids) so then things will start to happen. One of the cool things in Finland..

Thanks